Beschreibung:

WESTERN ASIATIC CYLINDER SEAL WITH SEATED FIGURE AND SERVANT 1200-900 BC A bitumen cylinder seal with seated figure holding a cup, servant in front holding fan, servant behind straining drink, three vessels and a plant, bird and geometric motif; accompanied by a museum-quality impression, and an old scholarly note by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: "Cylinder seal of bitumen. The design, which is put between upper and lower rulings, shows a scene of wine-making and drinking. In the centre sits a figure holding a cup. Facing him is a servant holding up a fan, while behind is a second servant tending a strainer on a stand with vessel to receive the strained liquid beneath. A stand with three drinking vessels above a star forms the terminal, and there are three fillers along the top: rhomb, bird and plant shoot. This is a seal from the south-west of Iran, c. 1200-900 BC. There is one small spot of damage, otherwise it is in very good condition." 4.04 grams, 27mm (1"). Fine condition. Provenance Property of a London gentleman; part of his family collection since the 1970s. Footnotes This lot is part of a single collection of cylinder seals which were examined in the 1980s by Professor Lambert and most are accompanied by his own detailed notes; the collection has recently been reviewed by Dr. Ronald Bonewitz.